Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe Park cancelled due to inclement weather

The Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe Park is the latest victim of the
wet weather, with organisers deciding to cancel next weekend’s (July 13-15)
competition after a site inspection on Monday morning.

In May, Badminton and the key international at Chatsworth were lost to waterlogging, along with over 50 other national fixtures so far this season, costing the national governing body £750,000 in abandonment payments.

Gatcombe co-organiser Captain Mark Phillips said: “The unprecedented rainfall over the last month has produced exceptionally wet ground conditions. We are unable to safely continue the preparations.

“We know that riders and spectators will be disappointed – especially as so many events have been cancelled already this year. We did everything possible to ensure that the event took place but sadly the hard-working ground crew has been defeated by the weather.”

The competition, staged on the Gloucestershire estate of HRH The Princess Royal, had no role in riders’ Olympic preparation this time, though Captain Phillips had planned to stage a “send off” for daughter Zara and her Olympic team-mates.

They were due to parade in the main arena on Sunday afternoon in a state Range Rover lent by the Queen. Captain Phillips said that would have been “very emotional” for his family.

Gatcombe’s loss has major consequences for the national sport, for it hosts a range of series finals.

Mike Etherington-Smith, chief executive of the national governing body, British Eventing, said: “The team has explored all options to see if there is a way to make the Festival happen but it has simply not been possible.

“We will do all we can with regard to rescheduling the British championships later in the year at alternative venues.”